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The Therapeutic Use of Botulinum Toxin Injections for Conditions Affecting the Head and Neck

  • Use of Botulinum Toxin in Otorhinolaryngology (A D’Souza and CL Ng, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Botulinum toxin has been used for the past few decades to treat conditions in the head and neck. In recent years, its use is expanding. This article presents a summary of the wide range of uses in the laryngeal, pharyngeal, cervical, oromandibular and facial muscles.

Recent Findings

As well as the uses discussed in this article, botulinum toxin has also been used more recently for a newly recognized condition: retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction. The condition and its treatment are discussed.

Summary

Botulinum toxin is a safe and generally successful treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, Meige syndrome and oromandibular and cervical dystonia; neurological conditions, such as multiple system atrophy and migraine; and finally the oropharynx, post-laryngectomy, cricopharyngeal dysphagia, Zenker’s diverticulum and retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction disorder.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust, Lewisham High Street, London, SE13 6LH, UK

    Natalie Anne Watson, Zohaib Siddiqui & Nicholas Gibbins

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Benjamin John Miller & Yakubu Karagama

Authors
  1. Natalie Anne Watson
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  2. Benjamin John Miller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicholas Gibbins.

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Conflict of Interest

Natalie A. Watson, Benjamin Miller, Zohaib Siddiqui, Yakubu Karagama and Nicholas Gibbins declare no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimer

The authors have remained neutral as to different brands of BoNT. However, in some cases, the only evidence is based on one study using a specific brand. In this case, the authors have named the brand of BoNT. The naming of products from specific companies is based on the literature only and does not represent endorsement of these brands or their products by the authors or the Journal. The dosages described in the article are also based on the authors’ practice preferences and the literature and do not represent the Journal and the Editorial Team’s opinions. The Journal and Editorial Team takes no responsibility or liability in the dosages described in this article.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

Suggested Further Reading:

https://www.dystonia.org.uk/

Dystonia and dystonic syndromes. Ed: Kanovsky P, Bhatia K, Rosales R. 2015. Springer-Verlag Wien.

https://www.neurotoxinnetwork.org/

https://www.dystonia.org.uk/voice-laryngeal-dystonia

Botulinum toxin for the treatment of chronic migraines. Kalach-Mussali A, Algazi D. Open access peer-reviewed chapter: https://www.intechopen.com/books/botulinum-toxin/botulinum-toxin-for-the-treatment-of-chronic-migraines

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Watson, N.A., Miller, B.J., Siddiqui, Z. et al. The Therapeutic Use of Botulinum Toxin Injections for Conditions Affecting the Head and Neck. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 8, 351–357 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-020-00305-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-020-00305-7

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